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	Brothers Who Claimed Abuse by SLC Priest Lose Appeal Associated Press, carried in Daily Herald March 14, 2007 http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/213189/4/ Salt Lake City — Two brothers who claim they were sexually abused by a Roman Catholic priest waited too long to sue the Diocese of Salt Lake City, the Utah Supreme Court said Tuesday in affirming other decisions against the men. The four-year clock began ticking decades ago when the brothers turned 18, the court said in a 5-0 ruling. While acknowledging the "troubling nature of child sexual abuse," the justices said the case triggered none of the exceptions that can be used to overcome time limits in civil lawsuits. Ralph Colosimo, 53, and Charles Colosimo, 45, said they were sexually abused by the Rev. James Rapp, between 1970 and 1975. Their attorney, Larry Keller, said the ruling ends the case. "They found strength, unity and friendship with family and many members of the public who sympathized with their situation," Keller said. "The whole process of bringing it out has been cathartic for them." Rapp was not prosecuted in Utah. But in a separate case, in Oklahoma in 1999, he pleaded no contest to lewd molestation of a boy and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. "It's effectively a life sentence," Keller said. The Colosimo brothers filed an $80 million lawsuit against Rapp and others in Utah in 2003, contending church and school officials knew about his behavior but were more concerned with protecting institutions than children. They stayed silent until The Washington Post published a story about Rapp in 2002. Ralph Colosimo said he had repressed his memory until a therapist helped him. Charles Colosimo said he never forgot but was unaware of a connection between the incidents and injuries until therapy years later. A 3rd District Court judge entered a default judgment against Rapp but dismissed claims against the diocese, Judge Memorial High School trustees, the priest's religious order and others, citing the statute of limitations. The Utah Court of Appeals agreed. In a statement, the Diocese of Salt Lake City said the Colosimo brothers "continue to be in our prayers." "The abuse of children is a terrible occurrence. The pastoral care for victims of abuse is important for their healing. The Catholic Diocese has offered such care for both Charles and Ralph Colosimo," the diocese said.
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